Israel bombs Syria in ‘first strike’ since air defenses were upgraded

Israel struck several positions south of Damascus in the first strikes since Syrian air defences were upgraded following the accidental downing of a Russian plane in September, a war monitor said Friday.

Damascus claimed its air defence systems shot down all “hostile targets” late Thursday. Israel did not confirm carrying out raids but denied any losses.

According to the Syria Observatory for Human Rights, the strikes hit two positions in the south of Damascus province, including an area believed to be an Iranian weapons depot near the capital.